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Class 4A title quest begins for 'Cats

Home cookin' could help

By Bill Armendariz, Headlight Editor

Posted:
03/04/2013 05:42:03 PM MST

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Deming High seniors Kenzie Rinehart and Eric Saenz take one last look at their District 3-4A championship plaques. New challenges come this weekend in the Class 4A State Playoffs when the Lady Cats play host to the Los Alamos Hilltoppers at 7 p.m. Friday and the Wildcats host the Española Valley Sundevils at 3 p.m. Saturday.

It's traditionally the toughest spot in a 16-team bracket. The No. 8 and 9 seeds square off as two teams that have the most in common. Many consider the 9 vs 8 to be the most balanced matchup on a level playing field. ...or as the case may be - court.

Deming High boys' and girls' basketball teams coveted the No. 8 seed and will host a pair of 9 seeds this weekend to determine who advance to the "Elite 8" teams for the Class 4A State Basketball Tournament March 7-9 in Albuquerque.

The Lady Wildcats (17-9) captured the District 3-4A championship and will host the Los Alamos Lady Hilltoppers (16-12) at 7 p.m. Friday at DHS. The Hilltoppers were runners up in the District 2-4A.

The matchup on paper rivals the one expected on the court. The teams are within five points in average of each other (DHS, 52-ppg. and LAHS, 47-ppg.) and they match up even on the size chart.

Los Alamos is led by junior Erin Kirk who averages 11 points per page. McKenzie Logan adds 8-ppg. and has buried 28 3-pointers this season. Junior Kiana Zerr averages 7-ppg. and leads the team in rebounding average with six per game.

The Lady 'Cats will camp behind the 3-point line - if allowed. Jasso leads the team with 29 treys on the season and she is closely followed by Yovanny Duran (20) and Elyssa Camarena (18).

"They love playing in front of the hometown fans.

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It pumps them up and the whole student body," said DHS coach Billy Almanza.

On the boys' side of the bracket, Deming also drew the eighth seed and will host the Española Valley Sundevils at 3 p.m. Saturday at DHS. The Sundevils were bounced in the quarterfinals of the District 2-4A tournament by Santa Fe in overtime 64-63.

They can score, but Deming should have little trouble keeping pace, averaging 60 points per game.

Leading the pack of 'Cats is senior Eric Saenz (15-ppg.) and junior Dominic Saenz (14-ppg.) Senior post Phillip Longoria connects for 8 points per game and he averages 2 assists and 5 rebounds. Longoria's work in the paint will keep defenses honest and open the perimeter game for Deming guards.

Saenz also leads the team in rebounding with 7 per game and he dishes two assists per game. Senior forward Richard Regalado is a big help off the glass with 5 rebounds per game.

In Española's overtime loss to Santa Fe, Kyle Gaines led the Sundevils with 21 points. He was followed by Jared Garduño and Elias Archuleta with 9 points each and Nathan Cordova added 7.

Both teams can score with a balanced attack, but DHS Coach Paul Maynes said the 'Cats are committed to defense. "It's our best offense," he added.

The pressure man-to-man defense was stellar at Santa Teresa on Saturday against the Warriors. Coach Maynes called it the team's best effort this season.

"Our kids have played well at home all season," he said. "They look forward to a big crowd and the excitement of a final home game."

Bill Armendariz can be reached at barmendariz@demingheadlight.com. Follow us on Twitter: @demingheadlight.